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Specialty & Technique Guitar Classes

Go beyond the basics and learn the nuts and bolts of music.

If you can already play guitar, now it's time to get into the groove. With the guidance of our expert teaching artists, expand your skills and repertoire to open the wide world of guitar beyond the basics.

For intermediate players and beyond, open to students who have completed the Guitar 2 level and above. (If you're not sure where your skills fit in, visit our placement quiz.)

We suggest all guitar students consider starting with Guitar Fingerboard Theory, if you want to work on lead guitar or eventually write your own songs. It's a great primer into a wider world of musicianship.

Fingerstyle Workshop Series with Michael J. Miles

WorkshopIntermediate

Monday with Michael Miles

75 minutes  ·  Once a week for 1 week  ·  $25 ($23 members)

Location: Online

Walking Bass Groove Lab

Intermediate

Monday with Harlan Terson

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

An hour long lab to make you “badder”

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Guitar Fingerboard Theory

Intermediate

Monday or Saturday with Dan Fulkerson or Randy Morris

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

This class is highly recommended for all guitar students. Make it a point to enroll at some point in your musical journey.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Guitar 4Ever with Holstein

Advanced

Saturday with Ed Holstein

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

The one and only legendary folk icon, Ed Holstein holds court for acoustic guitarists.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Guitar and Vocal Studio

Intermediate

Tuesday with Julia Storke

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Grab that guitar and sing and play with others.

Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

RPA Ensemble

Advanced

Thursday with Steve Dawson

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Heroes of Flatpicking

Intermediate

Tuesday with Chris Walz

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Learn to make your pick dance on the strings.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Basics of Electric Chicago Blues Guitar

Intermediate

Monday with Steve Hutchins

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Learn lead and comping techniques of the major players of the Chicago blues style.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Blues Fingerstyle 2

Intermediate

This class alternates every session with Blues Fingerstyle 1. Mark your calendar and be sure to sign up next session.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Blues Fingerstyle 3: Decades of Acoustic Blues

Advanced

Monday with Chris Walz

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Explore different aspects of Acoustic Blues a different decade each session.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Classical Guitar Basic Repertoire

Intermediate

Monday with Jacob Sweet

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

This class is a hybrid offering - students may attend either in person or by Zoom.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Fingerpicking Repertoire

Intermediate

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Fingerstyle Repertoire

Intermediate

Thursday with Randy Morris

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Develop a songbag of solo accompaniments and instrumentals in a variety of styles.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Introduction to Jazz Guitar

Intermediate

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Jazz Guitar 1

Intermediate

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Jazz Guitar 1.5

Intermediate

Monday or Saturday with Tony do Rosario

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Jazz guitar mastery is a lifelong journey and we invite you to repeat level as much as necessary before moving on to Jazz Guitar 2.

Location: Online or Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Jazz Guitar 2

Intermediate

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Jazz Guitar 4ever

Advanced

Wednesday with Tony do Rosario

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

An ongoing class in the advanced study of Jazz for the guitarist.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Flatpicking 2 - Technique

Intermediate

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Eric Singh with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Acoustic Blues Guitar Repertoire

Intermediate

Saturday with Paul Kaye

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Continue working on the music of great traditional blues artists.

Location: Online

Acoustic Slide Guitar 1

Intermediate

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

T-Bone Blues

Intermediate

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Eric Singh with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

90s Unplugged

IntermediateNew!

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Advancing Guitar—Chords to Riffs

Intermediate

Tuesday with John Mead

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Blues Bass Workshop

WorkshopIntermediateNew!

Saturday with Harlan Terson

90 minutes  ·  Once a week for 1 week  ·  $25 ($23 members)

Location: Online

Dylan Songbag with Jimmy Tomasello “Dealer's Choice”

WorkshopIntermediateNew!

Sunday with Jimmy Tomasello

90 minutes  ·  Once a week for 1 week  ·  $25 ($23 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Great Songs for Beginners: Dylan & Petty

BeginnerNew!

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Guitar Solos for Beginners

BeginnerNew!

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Eric Singh with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Intermediate Lead Guitar

IntermediateNew!

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Eric Singh with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Intro to Rock Guitar

IntermediateNew!

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Introduction to Slide Guitar

IntermediateNew!

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Eric Singh with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Intro to Walking Bass

BeginnerNew!

Saturday with Harlan Terson

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Location: Online

Argh! Barre Chords!

WorkshopIntermediate

Sunday with Charles Kim

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 1 week  ·  $30 ($28 members)

Your fingers and favorite songs will thank you!

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Melodies, Bass Runs and Riffs for Guitarists

WorkshopIntermediate

Sunday with Charles Kim

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 1 week  ·  $30 ($28 members)

Work with single notes to reboot your style

Location: Online

Mississippi John Hurt: It's All In The Thumb and then some

Intermediate

Monday with Chris Walz

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Approach fingerpicking online and in person with music from a true master of the form.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Motown for Fingerstyle Guitar

IntermediateNew!

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Eric Singh with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Neil Young Guitar Styles

Intermediate

Thursday with Charles Kim

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Playing by Ear for Guitarists

Intermediate

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Rock and Blues Guitar

BeginnerNew!

Monday with Nikki O'Neill

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Slide Guitar 1 Repertoire

IntermediateNew!

Tuesday with Donna Herula

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Strumming Rhythms

Intermediate

Tuesday with Barbara Silverman

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Location: Online

Taylor Swift for Guitar

Beginner

Monday with Alicia Lees

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Understanding the Major Pentatonic Scale

WorkshopIntermediate

Saturday with Dan Fulkerson

110 minutes  ·  Once a week for 1 week  ·  $25 ($24 members)

Five notes with endless possibilities

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Understanding the Minor Pentatonic Scale

WorkshopIntermediate

Saturday with Dan Fulkerson

110 minutes  ·  Once a week for 1 week  ·  $25 ($24 members)

like it's older younger brother only five notes with endless expression

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Wilco Acoustic Songbook

Intermediate

Saturday with Tommi Zender

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Location: Online

Private Lesson Options

Our private lessons like our group classes run in 8-week sessions, however, you can begin private lessons during any week in the session. Please call our customer service folks at 773.728.6000 to register as private lesson availability is based upon individual teacher schedules.

Lessons are scheduled weekly, for 30, 45 or 60 minutes, and are available every day of the week at our Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park locations. Our experienced and professional faculty will work with you to develop an individualized program that helps you achieve your musical goals.

Stop in at either location or call the front desk at 773.728.6000 to register.


8-week Session Prices

$336 for 30 minutes ($326 for members)

$480 for 45 minutes ($465 for members)

$616 for 60 minutes ($596 for members)


Session & Registration Dates

8-week lessons: 09/02/2024 – 10/27/2024

Monday 07/15/24: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 07/29/24: Transfer registration

Wednesday 07/31/24: Open registration

8-week lessons: 10/28/2024 – 12/22/2024

Monday 09/23/24: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 10/07/24: Transfer registration

Wednesday 10/09/24: Open registration

8-week lessons: 01/06/2025 – 03/02/2025

Monday 11/18/24: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 12/02/24: Transfer registration

Wednesday 12/04/24: Open registration

8-week lessons: 03/03/2025 – 04/27/2025

Monday 01/27/25: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 02/10/25: Transfer registration

Wednesday 02/12/25: Open registration


Teachers

Click for teacher profiles and schedules

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